MG Car Repair: Starting MGB after setting up for a while, starter fluid, fuel hose

Question
I've been recently trying to get my 1980 MGB running again.  It hasn't been started in about a year and a half.  The oil had dried out in the carburetor damper so I topped it up.  The engine will now turn over but doesn't start....the fuel pump is working and I'm getting spark at all plugs.  I disconnected the fuel hose at the fuel filter and fuel is running into the carb.  I put a little new gas in the tank but it did have some old gas in it also.   Is there any way to prime the carburetor? Did the fact that the oil in the carb. piston damper dried up effect the carb? Thanks

Answer
Hi Lynn,
The oil in the top of the carb is a shock to stop the piston from jumping up and down at idle and to restrict it's lifting too quick on a quick throttle opening, thus acting like an accelerator pump on a conventional carb and to lube the shaft the piston slides on.
If you have spark and the timing is correct you need to spray a little starter fluid into the intake to try to start the engine. If it only runs a short few seconds then you need to take the carb apart to see what is wrong. Keep in mind that this car will just about not run at all with the air filter off. BLM made it so lean it requires the choking effect of the air filter to get enough fuel to run. If you spray starter fluid in the intake and it does not try to run at all, you need to do a compression test and check the ignition timing.
Let me know,
Howard